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I received this email from Equality Texas stating new Legislation has been filed to repeal DOMA and 2/3 of Texans approve of same sex marriage.
This is really a boost for us Texans, lets hope it passes.

Two-thirds of Texas' voters now support some form of legal recognition for lesbian & gay couples.

--snip--

Austin, Texas (February 6, 2013) – State Representatives Rafael Anchia of Dallas (D-103) and Garnet Coleman of Houston (D-147) today filed legislation [HJR 77 and HJR 78] to repeal the constitutional amendment added to the Bill of Rights to the Texas Constitution in 2005. The amendment denies same-gender Texans in committed relationships the freedom to marry or enter into a civil union.

Equality Texas advocates and lobbies for the elimination of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression.

While significant cultural, legal and governmental advances have led to greater equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Texans, LGBT Texans and their families remain highly vulnerable, without the vast majority of rights and protections that most Texans take for granted.

BEWARE! Harassing the Indian may result in sudden and severe hair loss.

Oh don't misunderstand me, I believe popular opinion is on the verge of turning in almost all states within a few years, including Texas.

However, majority opinion won't influence change. In Australia, the popular opinion is reliably in the 60s in favor of marriage equality, and yet a marriage equality bill was just defeated there. The religious right political machine must be challenged and overcome. I think that will take a generation.

Sen. Chuy HinojosaAustin, Texas (February 11, 2013) – State Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa of McAllen (D-20) today filed legislation [SB 480] to partially repeal Texas’ “Defense of Marriage Act” (DOMA) which was added to the state’s Family Code in 2003. DOMA denies same-gender Texans in committed relationships the freedom to marry or enter into a civil union. The legislation filed by Senator Hinojosa would remove the prohibition of civil unions and provide for the establishment of civil unions for same-gender couples granting them “the same rights, benefits, protections, and responsibilities under the law as are granted to spouses in a marriage.”

If enacted, SB 480 would provide some important legal protections for same-gender couples, including property rights, homestead rights, child custody and support, adoption, intestate succession, probate transfers, group insurance for state employees, and workers’ compensation benefits.

The legislation would take effect in 2014, but only if the constitutional amendment proposed last week by Senator Jose Rodriguez [SJR 29], Rep. Rafael Anchia [HJR 77] or Rep. Garnet Coleman [HJR 78] is approved by voters. SJR 29, HJR 77 or HJR 78 would repeal the 2005 Texas Marriage Amendment which defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman and prohibits recognition of anything similar to marriage, including civil unions.

Statement of Equality Texas Executive Director Chuck Smith:

Chuck Smith“We believe that every Texas family should be able to take care of those they love. Today’s action by Senator Hinojosa is a landmark first step in the process of dismantling Texas’ discriminatory “Defense of Marriage Act” and charting us on a path toward full equality.

Equality Texas supports full equality and the freedom to marry. Our work for equal recognition of all Texas families will not be complete until the discriminatory Texas Marriage Amendment is repealed from the State Constitution and DOMA is fully repealed from the State Family Code, thus allowing committed same-gender couples the freedom to marry.

Until then, this legislation would provide committed couples with some of the important protections they need in order to take care of their families.”

The part I like is :

If enacted, SB 480 would provide some important legal protections for same-gender couples, including property rights, homestead rights, child custody and support, adoption, intestate succession, probate transfers, group insurance for state employees, and workers’ compensation benefits.

Last edited by White Eagle; February 11th, 2013 at 03:50 PM.

BEWARE! Harassing the Indian may result in sudden and severe hair loss.